Teeth grinding

[foreverblue127]

Hello,

I have read about teeth grinding. I know that it can mean pain or pleasure. My question is just how loud is it suppose to be if it is pleasure? I am new to rabbits
Tonight I was holding him after his first bout of freedom around the house. I petted him and I heard a low grinding sound and I could feel it when I touched the top of his head. I wasn't sure if he was enjoying it because he was very alert. He wasn't showing any signs of distress. But usually he is not as alert as he was. If he was grinding his teeth in pain would it be loud?

Oh and on a cuter note.....I put this huge rock into his play pen. I had brought it in from the yard for my aquarium but it was just too big. He loved the thing and rubbed all over it. Marking it as his I am guessing. Anyways, I got to see him binky more than I ever have before. He would run and jump over the rock into his litter box and run and jump into his cage. He must have done this ten times in a row. It was the cutest thing I have seen in a long time. Just thought I would share that. None of my friends want to hear about my binking bunny anymore

 

[maxysmummy]

chances are it's pleasure.

if it sounds more grindy and squeaky its a happy "tooth purr"

(i've never heard it) but apparently if its LOUD and CRUNCHY sounding and your bunny is wide eyed and hunched up it is in pain.

you should be able to tell by his body language, if hes flopping happily its more than likely pleasure

 

[Flick]

I have noticed 5 kinds of tooth noises and movements

1. Happy grind. It's fast and rhythmic and pretty quiet. It sorta crescendos (builds up in speed and sound) then dies down and starts over. It happens when I'm rubbing their noses. It's a pretty sound.

2. Contented grind. I hear this when they're stretched out in a relaxed manner, usually dozing. Sounds very much like "happy grind", but with no outside stimulus and it's shorter in duration.

3. Pain grind. It's loud and not rhythmic. The bunny is hunched, eyes squinted or closed. Face is tense and tight. It's almost a "clacking" sound.

4. Irritated. It's fast and loud and sounds angry (like a buzz saw) and means a nip is coming.

5. Tooth maintenance. This is a bigger movement and happens when they're grinding down their teeth. Looks like they're chewing something, but there's nothing in their mouths. Stella does this very noticeably when it's getting time for another vet visit for a tooth trim.

 

[foreverblue127]

Thank you I thought he was happy, but I wasn't positive because he was so alert. But it sounds like he was happy.

 

[elrohwen]

If he's doing it while you're petting him, there's a good chance it's pleasure. A bunny in pain will be hunched in a corner grinding his teeth - not smushing down for pets.

 

[bunnymother22]

Flick that is the best explanation ever! Thank you! :clapping:ink iris:ink iris:ink iris::bunnybutt: